Stefan Schröder - Interim Director Finance / CFO

Q: Where is Stefan based?

Stefan is based in Langenfeld (Rheinland), Germany .

Q: What languages does Stefan speak?

Stefan speaks the following languages: German (Advanced), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), French (Elementary), Italian (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Stefan have?

Stefan has at least 33 years of experience. During this time, Stefan has worked in at least 18 different roles and for 21 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 5 months . Note that Stefan may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Stefan's latest experience?

Stefan's most recent position is Interim Director Finance / CFO at Hemovent GmbH .

Q: What companies has Stefan worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Stefan has worked for Hemovent GmbH , SVT GmbH , Private Equity firms , Heubach GmbH , and KWE Klein & Wilhelm Engineering GmbH .

Q: Which industries is Stefan most experienced in?

Stefan is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Banking and Finance , and Food and Beverage . Stefan also has some experience in Professional Services , Healthcare , and Aerospace and Defense .

Q: Which business areas is Stefan most experienced in?

Stefan is most experienced in business areas like Finance , Operations , and Strategy and Planning . Stefan also has some experience in Accounting , Audit , and Business Intelligence .

Q: Which industries has Stefan worked in recently?

Stefan has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing , Healthcare , and Banking and Finance .

Q: Which business areas has Stefan worked in recently?

Stefan has recently worked in business areas like Finance , Accounting , and Strategy and Planning .

Recommended expert

Langenfeld (Rheinland), Germany

Experience

Sep 2023 - Nov 2024

1 year 3 months

Interim Director Finance / CFO

Hemovent GmbH

Transition of processes from garage-style to series production
Establishment of financial processes including monthly reporting to the Chinese parent company
Development of long-term planning (5/10 years) and budgets for 2024 and 2025
Ensuring sufficient financing
Creation and implementation of a restructuring plan with over 60% reduction in staff and costs

Apr 2023 - Aug 2023

5 months

Interim-CFO

SVT GmbH

Assumption of the duties of a vacated position, including reporting to the private equity firm and consolidation of foreign units
Establishment of effective project controlling
Improvement of ERP system usage (ams.erp)
Working capital optimization through inventory reduction and receivables management

Jan 2023 - Mar 2023

3 months

Interim support for M&A transactions

Private Equity firms

Support for distressed acquisitions
Continuation of initiated buy-and-build projects

Sep 2022 - Dec 2022

4 months

Interim Head of Finance

Heubach GmbH

Transition of the old corporate structure into the new merged setup with adjusted planning and reporting processes
Implementation of IFRS and switch of consolidation to LucaNet
Development of infrastructure for the parent holding with SAP company codes and workflows
Adjustment of finance/controlling department structure, leading to the future removal of the "Head of Finance" position

Jan 2022 - May 2022

5 months

Interim-CRO

KWE Klein & Wilhelm Engineering GmbH

Situation analysis on behalf of the owner and development of business planning and a strategic concept
Clearing backlog in the technical office and production
Introduction of a new organizational structure with business units
Appointment of a new production management and implementation of a shift system and multi-machine operation
Introduction of capacity planning in the technical office
Improvement of the working capital position
Implementation of the ERP system (AP+)

Dec 2020 - Dec 2021

1 year 1 month

Interim support for transactions

Private equity firms

Conducting financial due diligence
Developing buy & build concepts
Supporting insolvency acquisitions

Nov 2019 - Nov 2020

1 year 1 month

CEO / CFO

Virotech Diagnostics GmbH

Combining Virotech with sister company NovaTec, including relocation, merger, stakeholder reconciliation, and social plan
Capturing synergies and developing, producing, and marketing a COVID-19 test
Increasing the production volume eightfold by using an 'extended workbench'
Transferring finance functions to the parent company's shared service center

Apr 2019 - May 2020

1 year 2 months

CFO / Commercial Managing Director

W.I.S. Group

Developing and implementing a restructuring concept
Reorganizing financial processes and bringing accounting and HR services back in-house
Building an internal finance department for 16 legal entities and 4000 payrolls per month, including the system environment (DATEV/LODAS with BI integration)
Eliminating operating losses in the first year

Feb 2019 - Apr 2019

3 months

Interim CRO

B2B trade of printer accessories and IT equipment

Preparing a going-concern forecast including a recovery plan

Aug 2018 - Jan 2019

6 months

Interim COO

RailMaint GmbH

Improving production processes and shop floor layout
Introducing a shift system
Establishing a 'fast-lane' production
Taking over project management of a critical large-scale project worth €24 million

Apr 2018 - Jul 2018

4 months

Interim CRO

Verpackungsindustrie

Supporting restructuring experts in the preparation according to IDW S6
Developing a restructuring plan and managing banks as well as preparing refinancing
Initiating a comprehensive profit improvement program
Negotiating with a machinery supplier regarding compensation payments

Aug 2017 - Dec 2017

5 months

CFO / Commercial Managing Director

WBN Waggonbau Niesky GmbH

Analyzing the situation on behalf of the shareholder and recommending necessary corrective actions
Identifying the issues and outlining a path to a solution
Communicating with top customers and negotiating compromises on deadlines, cancellations, and penalties
Replacing production management and initiating improvements

Aug 2015 - Aug 2017

2 years 1 month

CEO / CFO

ND SatCom GmbH

Saving the company despite heavy losses and a cash burn of €5M p.a., massive delays in the new "Modem 5G" development, and a weak sales pipeline
Removing the existing management without replacement and making extensive staff cuts without losing know-how
Initiating and implementing a cost reduction program
Completing the new satellite modem after almost two years of delay
Reorganizing into business units (Defence, Satellite Networks, Broadcast)
Turning around the loss-making foreign units in Beijing and Dubai

Feb 2014 - Aug 2015

1 year 7 months

Group Controller

Quantum Capital Partners

Integrating company acquisitions, including setting up and outsourcing financial IT departments
Establishing an overall monitoring and reporting structure for all units
Collaboratively developing and implementing business strategies
General financial optimization and restructuring within the units

Jan 2013 - Nov 2013

11 months

Interim CFO

Langbein & Engelbracht GmbH

Leading and restructuring the commercial departments (accounting, finance, controlling, IT, purchasing, order processing, HR)
Taking over responsibility for the paper industry division
Creating transparency for shareholders and building effective control tools
Turning around the loss-making paper industry division within three months
Significantly improving the working capital position and initiating a cost reduction program (-24%)

May 2011 - Jan 2013

1 year 9 months

CEO / CFO

HERING AG

Performed a situation analysis for the main shareholder and recommended necessary corrective actions
Assumed the responsibilities of the released management team
Turned around the losses by changing the product mix
Provided transparency for shareholders and enhanced unique selling points, especially by growing the US market (ASME)
Further optimized and automated processes, e.g., CAD/ERP integration

Aug 2009 - Apr 2011

1 year 9 months

Managing Partner / CEO / CFO

pamino-Gruppe

General restructuring including strategic realignment
Streamlined product range and adjusted sales structure
Built effective control tools and initiated planning processes
Switched product and production to the click system, achieving a 30% increase in domestic sales
Improved cash position through inventory reduction, property sales and a pool agreement
Implemented a cost reduction program for direct and indirect costs (-16%)

Oct 2003 - Aug 2009

5 years 11 months

CEO / CFO

HERING AG

Rescued and led a heavily loss-making mid-sized company
Strategically realigned and restructured all areas
Established control tools and implemented an ERP system (AMS++)
Cleaned up the customer base based on contribution margins
Returned to profitability within one year and doubled sales from 2003 to 2008 with improved margins
Reduced material usage by 30% through product redesign and halved lead times
Significantly improved the financial situation, including factoring, a guarantee line and sale-and-lease-back
Cut direct and indirect costs by up to 25% and eliminated negative equity

May 2002 - Dec 2003

1 year 8 months

Head of Finance & Administration

Mediolanum S.p.A. / Bankhaus August Lenz

Built a banking platform to sell banking, insurance and fund products through Bankhaus August Lenz
Designed all functions including accounting, regulatory reporting, payroll, customer service and marketing in cooperation with Accenture
Took over line functions after market entry in April 2003

Jul 2001 - Apr 2002

10 months

Manager / Authorized Signatory / Audit Manager

Arthur Andersen

Provided strategic consulting and market entry concepts
Offered business management consulting and process optimizations
Advised on audits and implemented risk concepts
Conducted due diligence projects and company valuations
Carried out annual financial audits

Nov 1995 - Jun 2001

5 years 8 months

Manager Internal Control & Financial Control

Citibank

Supported the setup of the new Operations Center (Bahncard/VISA)
Monitored and optimized business processes
Planned and coordinated all audit activities
Introduced a self-assessment process
From August 2000, additionally led Financial Control with 16 staff for accounting, payment processing, and cash management of the group entities, including Diners Club and Card Acceptance Belgium

Jun 1992 - Oct 1995

3 years 5 months

Internal Audit / Process Improvement

Coca-Cola

Supported Coca-Cola's largest investment ever
Set up several production and distribution sites in the new federal states, restructuring former trust-owned companies
Developed and implemented an internal control system and optimized business processes
Completed multi-month assignments for the international Corporate Audit Department

Feb 1991 - May 1992

1 year 4 months

Assistant / Audit Manager

Arthur Andersen

Provided consulting and audit services to medium-sized companies for annual financial statement audits
Developed and implemented restructuring plans
Introduced management information systems
Prepared financial, profit and loss, and cash flow statements

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Manufacturing (13 years), Banking and Finance (10 years), Food and Beverage (3.5 years), Professional Services (3 years), Healthcare (2 years), and Aerospace and Defense (2 years).

Manufacturing

Banking and Finance

Food and Beverage

Professional Services

Healthcare

Aerospace and Defense

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Finance (28 years), Operations (17 years), Strategy (15.5 years), Accounting (12.5 years), Audit (11 years), and Business Intelligence (3.5 years).

Finance

Operations

Strategy

Accounting

Audit

Business Intelligence

Summary

33 years of work experience across different industries such as mechanical and plant engineering, consumer goods manufacturing, banking and consulting
13 years of solid finance career in top international companies like Arthur Andersen, Coca-Cola, Citibank and Banca Mediolanum
25 years in leadership roles, including 14 years as managing director with CFO responsibilities
Strong change management skills from 20 years of restructuring experience
20 years in private equity environment (M&A, due diligence, carve-out, integration)
High technical affinity from 18 years of experience in technology companies

Skills

Confident At Spotting Business Opportunities, Crisis Causes And Process Weaknesses
Rapidly Winning Over Often Unsettled Teams
Quick Development And Implementation Of Suitable Growth And Solution Concepts
Level-headed Approach Even In Critical Situations
Leadership By Empowerment: Strong Sense Of Employees' Potential, Building Highly Successful Management Teams
Pragmatic, Hands-on And Decisive
Proficient With Various Erp/bi Systems: Sap, Ams, Navision, Datev
Highly Proficient With Office Suites Including Ms Project

Languages

German

Advanced

English

Advanced

Spanish

Elementary

French

Elementary

Italian

Elementary

Education

Nov 1984 - Nov 1989

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

Diploma in Business Administration · Business Administration · Erlangen, Germany

Profile

Created

November 2024

Last Update

January 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Stefan based?

Stefan is based in Langenfeld (Rheinland), Germany.

What languages does Stefan speak?

Stefan speaks the following languages: German (Advanced), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), French (Elementary), Italian (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Stefan have?

Stefan has at least 33 years of experience. During this time, Stefan has worked in at least 18 different roles and for 21 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 5 months. Note that Stefan may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Stefan be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Stefan would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim Director Finance / CFO, Interim-CFO, Interim support for M&A transactions.

What is Stefan's latest experience?

Stefan's most recent position is Interim Director Finance / CFO at Hemovent GmbH.

What companies has Stefan worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Stefan has worked for Hemovent GmbH, SVT GmbH, Private Equity firms, Heubach GmbH, and KWE Klein & Wilhelm Engineering GmbH.

Which industries is Stefan most experienced in?

Stefan is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Banking and Finance, and Food and Beverage. Stefan also has some experience in Professional Services, Healthcare, and Aerospace and Defense.

Which business areas is Stefan most experienced in?

Stefan is most experienced in business areas like Finance, Operations, and Strategy and Planning. Stefan also has some experience in Accounting, Audit, and Business Intelligence.

Which industries has Stefan worked in recently?

Stefan has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Banking and Finance.

Which business areas has Stefan worked in recently?

Stefan has recently worked in business areas like Finance, Accounting, and Strategy and Planning.

What is Stefan's education?

Stefan attended University of Erlangen-Nuremberg for Business Administration.

What is the availability of Stefan?

Stefan is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Stefan?

Stefan's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.